Denise Fergus, mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, expresses heartbreak after vandals damaged her son’s grave. The headstone shows clear destruction, with two cherubs flanking it smashed into pieces.

Details of the Vandalism

The attack occurred between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on February 26. Photos reveal the cherubs’ heads and chunks of marble scattered on the ground around the site.

James, aged two, was abducted from a Merseyside shopping center in February 1993 by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both 10 at the time. He endured torture before his murder.

Mother’s Plea for Information

Denise Fergus shared her anguish online, stating: “I’m devastated someone could be so cruel and hurtful to my James.” She described receiving a message from a dog walker who spotted the damage and rushed to the cemetery.

“Today I felt my heart break once again,” she wrote. “We rushed down there to find the cherubs each side of his headstone had been smashed to pieces. I need to find whoever done this to my son’s resting place.”

Fergus, who supports other families through justice campaigns and the James Bulger Memorial Trust, called the act outrageous: “I try to help as many families as I can… and some horrid b*****d has done this… to a baby’s grave! Really?”

She urges witnesses to contact the James Bulger Memorial Trust or Merseyside Police.

Police Response

Merseyside Police label the incident “abhorrent and truly shocking.” Inspector Chris Taylor affirms: “We are taking this matter extremely seriously and remain determined to find the person or people responsible.”

“To vandalise a grave is completely abhorrent and it’s truly shocking to think that someone could commit such an appalling act,” Taylor added. Officers support the family amid ongoing enquiries.

Ongoing Family Challenges

This desecration compounds difficulties for the family, as Venables prepares another parole bid. The Parole Board denied his 2023 application, deeming him a continued risk to children.

Venables gained release on licence in 2001, faced recall in 2010 for child indecent images, was freed again in 2013, and recalled in 2017 for similar offenses. Parole reviews continued into 2020.